Our friends over at Truck Trend say Chevrolet is preparing a mid-size, two-row crossover to compete against the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano for the 2019 model year. What will Chevy call it? Industry rumors say Blazer. Adding fuel to the (dumpster) fire are spy photos of such a vehicle trolling around public roads while covered in heavy camouflage. Naturally, the news comes as a huge disappointment – not because Chevy is developing a new crossover, but because it will carry the iconic Blazer name.

The resurrection of bygone vehicle names is in heavy swing these days. Ford is bringing back the Ranger pickup to the U.S. and dusting off the Bronco name for the first time since the mid-1990s. It’s almost common knowledge Ford’s upcoming Bronco will be based on the T6 Ranger pickup platform and use a ladder frame and a solid rear axle. It’s expected to offer an excellent compromise between on-road civility and off-road capability while honoring its nameplate that traces its roots to the 1960s when Ford needed an SUV to compete with the Jeep CJ. Yet here we are, with Chevy about to slap the equally iconic Blazer name onto an assumably forgettable family hauler that couldn’t wheel its way over a parking stop. Why, Chevy? Of course, we should take these rumors with a huge grain of salt. No sources were listed and not even the vehicle in the spy photos show any discernable Chevy characteristics. Still, it’s hard not to criticize GM for not directly competing against the Bronco with a Colorado-based SUV wearing a Blazer badge. Chevy already has such an SUV in markets around the world. It’s even called the Trailblazer.
Why not fight Ford at its own game? After all, SUV and pickup sales are booming thanks to cheap fuel and a growing economy.

It appears Chevrolet is preparing a mid-size crossover based on General Motors’ new C1XX, or “Chi” platform. Spy shots of the vehicles were recently captured, pouring fuel on rumors of the Blazer nameplate returning to Chevy’s lineup. Could we really see a Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco matchup by the decade’s end?

The photos come by way of Automotive News, whose photographer caught a test mule roaming the streets of Michigan. The three-row crossover will be a corporate cousin to the new 2017 GMC Acadia and slot between the upcoming 2018 Chevy Equinox and full-size Traverse.

This would give Chevy a huge boost in crossover offerings, allowing it to strongly compete in the exploding crossover and SUV market. With the Blazer in place, Chevy would have six vehicles in the category. The upcoming Blazer also answers questions on why Chevrolet decided to downsize the Equinox for 2018.

As for the test mule itself, it clearly shares its platform with the Acadia. This is most evident in the lower portion of the body, with the fuel tank skid plate hanging below the unibody chassis, the area between the rear door and wheel well, and the rear lower rear bumper area. Each is all nearly identical to the 2017 Acadia.

As for its Chevy trimmings, the grille features horizontal chrome slats like the Traverse, the LED headlights look similar to the 2018 Equinox, and the rear tailgate has chrome trim just above the license plate. Dual exhaust tips give the crossover a sporty flair.

The Blazer is expected to debut sometime in 2017, perhaps at the Detroit Auto Show, ahead of its 2018 release. And like its size, Its price will slot between the Equinox and the Traverse.

So will Chevrolet bring the Blazer back for a fight with the upcoming Ford Bronco? Keep reading for more.

Ah, the second-generation Chevrolet Blazer – a masculine truck with big power, 4WD capability, and looks to stun. The truck was introduced for the 1973 model year and lasted through the 1991 season, but for 1981, the SUV received a new front grille and several updates throughout. Chevy put together this fantastic training video for its dealerships to educate sales staff on the changes. Thanks to the magic of the internet, the awesomely retro video is available to anyone to watch.

The 10-minute video goes over four key areas of improvement for the 1981 Blazer: economy, mobility, utility, and value. Telling sales staff about these changes is great, but demonstrating is even better. That’s exactly what the video does – while pitting the Blazer against its arch rival, the Ford Bronco.

Of course, the Chevy-made video points out all the positives of the Blazer and “week points” of the Bronco, so it’s best to watch with a grain of salt. This is hardly objective reporting. Then again, it’s hard to argue with the Blazer’s better fuel economy numbers with each of its engine options, including the venerable 5.0-liter, 305 cubic-inch small-block V-8.

Regardless of the verbal messages within the video, watching these now-classic SUVs scramble up a dirt hill, trudge through loose sand, and sit pretty with unmolested interiors and factory-fresh paint is fantastic. There’s no doubt these trucks are on their way to becoming collectables with increasing value and desirability.